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Thursday, 13 December 2012

I’ve spoken at a number of conferences directed towards women returners and one of the common questions, especially from those who’ve taken a long career gap, is ‘Am I too old to be employable?’

When I returned to work after my career break, I chose to become self-employed, but it is a common view among women hoping to return to employment that organisations are only looking for younger people or those who have worked their way up a career ladder.It is easy for us to fear that we are too old and too out of touch, to be considered employable.We worry that we won’t fit in to the office environment and that our prior experience, expertise and qualifications are no longer relevant.

Instead of looking at what is missing from our CVs, it is much more helpful to notice what our years of experience, both in and out of the workforce, have given us.As Michele (who found full-time work in her 50s, following a divorce) says:

‘I was attractive to my new employer because at my age I was reliable, I brought a wealth of different experiences which meant I could talk to anybody and I was serious about my work.At the same time, I wasn’t going to take his clients and set up on my own.And, I wasn’t going to get pregnant which made a big difference in a small company’

A recent Harvard Business Review article, which highlighted the concept of internships for returners mention that such internships ‘… allow [companies] to hire people who have a level of maturity and experience not found in younger recruits and who are at a life stage where parental leaves and spousal relocations are most likely behind them.In short, these applicants are an excellent investment’.(HBR November 2012 ‘The 40-year-old intern’).

It is not just in the US that internships exist for returning mid-career women. In the UK, the financial services industry was one of the first to offer these types of opportunities and since 2010 Red Magazine has arranged month long paid internships at a number of UK companies and with an MP

The internship route is only one of many ways to return to work and we will discuss other ways in later articles.However we plan to return, we can help ourselves by remembering all the qualities mentioned and we also know that we offer future employers commitment and stability.We will stay a long time if we enjoy our work and are valued for what we bring to the organisation.

Wednesday, 12 December 2012

For the last few years, I have been running workshops for women considering returning to work after a lengthy career break. As I listen to the voices around the table I hear the same worries & doubts drowning out the excitement and anticipation. Lack of confidence, guilt and other mental barriers can stop us even exploring ideas and options to see if they are practical. This emotionally-charged word selfish often pops up in the conversation & seems to strike a chord with many of the women in the room.

What makes us talk about going back to work as selfish? The underlying fear here is that work will negatively impact the family: children, partner and/or elderly parents. It’s unsurprising that this seems to be such a common view. Working women tend to either be portrayed in the media as completely frazzled ‘jugglers’ or as superwomen with an army of helpers.

Most people instinctively believe that happy mothers are better mothers; if a woman isn’t feeling fulfilled at home, being a full-time parent may not be the best thing for her children either. The reassuring news from psychology research is that studies show that work & family don’t have to be in conflict. Satisfying work can have a ‘positive spillover’ effect on family life. This is supported by evidence that work can invigorate us, like healthy exercise. Provided we feel competent and satisfied at work, our positive mood and satisfaction can create a happier home life. Women in a recent study who were more energetic at home said it was because work gave them an energy boost.

I have talked to many women returners over the last few years and I have found that they’re often surprised and relieved by the positive effects of combining work and family. Janet* a mother of four took on a new role after a seven year break:

“Having a purpose makes me happier, more energetic and more fulfilled. I now enjoy being with my children more and look forward to the holidays with them rather than slightly dreading it.”

Susan* a mother of two returned to her previous employer after a ten year break:

“I thought working was going to run me into the ground but I now have more energy for the family than as a full-time mother. I feel back to being me. Life is busy but I’d rather be busy than bored.”

So next time you’re worrying about being selfish, try looking at things in a different way. It is possible for work and family to enhance each other: for you to be a happier person and for your family to benefit.

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